Archive for 'Home Improvement'
Make your own solar power and get your money’s worth
Posted on May 1, 2009, by Jonathon McDermot, under Home Improvement.
Getting power from the sun is on top of the government’s green agenda to save Mother Earth from further destruction. This article will show you how to harness the sun’s power for your benefit.
Climate change has greatly affected the planet that it became necessary to find new ways to cope and use of solar power shows much promise. Other than providing less costly alternative to our energy requirements, solar power is also more environment-friendly compared to much more harmful coal and oil.
The sun is one of the cleanest sources of renewable energy out there because as long as it is burning, then it can be harnessed. Other forms of energy, especially the less-environment-friendly ones like coal and oil, are depleting at a very fast rate.
Solar power is a big money-saver. Owning solar power equipment can be a useful asset in the future, since it will allow you to generate your own solar power. Also it may allow you to have your floors and about 70% of your water t be sufficiently warmed.
How can you have your own homemade solar power equipment? First, you need to install your own solar hot water system. This new system will provide you with most of your energy supply even during the cold winter while allowing you to keep your old boiler. This new system can be installed in a matter of a day by any energy-saving company.
At first, the concept of a solar hot water system can seem like a costly venture - with minimal costs starting at $5,000 CAD. However, taking into account money saved from the gas and electricity bills may be able to justify the cost over a significant period of time. Additionally, the reduced impact of carbon on the environment is a factor to take into account.
Payback time varies from country to country, with different territories having different incentives for citizens to invest in solar power systems. The worst case scenario results in the solar hot water system paying for itself within 12 years, however it is possible for costs to be returned in as little as 2 years.
When you make your own solar power, little maintenance is needed. With annual check-ups needed for the solar panels which collect the energy you use, a comprehensive check-up from an expert is required every 4 or 5 years. Most solar energy systems have a guarantee of up to 10 years against damage.
Since professional solar hot water systems available for purchase are a bit expensive, a lot of DIY enthusiasts would rather make their own solar energy systems to cut back on their expenses. Hardware stores have now begun selling easy-install kits that are much cheaper than the professional types. These systems have become popular in developing countries where people need fast solutions to energy shortage.
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How to Build a Carport
Posted on February 26, 2009, by admin, under Home Improvement.
There are several reasons that a carport could be an excellent addition to your home: a carport can protect your vehicles from the elements, keeping them looking much newer for much longer; carports are a great and inexpensive way to add value to your home if you are planning on selling in the near future and carports can give you a protected area in which to conduct projects like fixing your automobile, working on your lawn mower, working on your bicycle or acting as the checkout for your yard sale.
Though undertaking the construction of a new carport can be a bit difficult, if you’re reasonably handy and know your way around some basic tools you should be able to complete the project without hiring a professional contractor to assist you.
There are a few different types of carports that you can choose from - and different levels of quality of each. Some freestanding carports are made from aluminum framing and are super light-weight, easy to assemble and are able to be moved form one location to another; sturdier freestanding units are available in which you’ll need to dig holes and set concrete posts for more hearty supports - these carports provide much more protection than the aforementioned units but are a bit more difficult to build and cant be moved once they are built.
Braced carports, as a whole are viewed as more heavy duty than freestanding carports, because they are attached to your house on one side. It’s true that pretty much all braced carports are of a heavy grade and more resilient than the tent-like aluminum pipe freestanding carports, but some of the heavier duty freestanding carports will provide just as much protection as any braced unit.
What do you need?
This is the first question you need to ask yourself before any carport building takes place. You need to research all of the varieties available to see which will best suit your purpose. Important things to consider are: what exactly your carport will be used for, if it needs to be portable or should it be a more permanent construction and what the weather is like in the area in which you live - the more severe weather conditions you experience, the more sturdy your carport should be.
You’ll also want to check for any local ordinances before commencing any construction. Even a very simple carport may require you to get permits with your township before you begin the project. You’ll also want to check with the local utilities to ensure that there is no gas, water or power lines present in the area in which you’ll be building. It’s of the utmost importance that you adhere to all local codes and ordinances to ensure that you and everyone around you remain safe.
How to Do It
Regardless of what type of carport you decide is best for you, you’ll likely be able to find a pre-packaged kit with all of the raw materials you’ll need for construction and a detailed plan to follow in order to get you through the process.
If you do find a kit for the type of carport you’re looking to build, you’ll still need the tools to put it all together. The plans should give you a list of the tools that will be required, but common ones used in this type of project are: a circular saw, a hammer, a plumb level and chalk line, an electric drill, a screwdriver and nut driver (or bits that fit into your drill), and a tape measure.
Depending on the type of carport that you are building, the project as a whole could be very simple or reasonably advanced. It’s very important that you follow the plans that come with your carport to the letter - read over the entire instruction packet from beginning to end to make sure that you understand it before you even unpack the building materials. Even a simple mistake could lead to a hole in the side of your house or a concrete pad where they isn’t supposed to be. Measure everything twice and double check that everything is level and in it’s appropriate location before making any cuts, pouring any concrete or attaching any brackets. Careful understanding of this project is crucial for any permanent structure and it’s also very necessary for any portable structure. Starting this project blindly could lead to an error that renders your carport unusable.
This project isn’t easy when compared to some other home improvement projects, but it’s far from impossible if youve got some knowledge and can carefully follow instructions.
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How To Ace Outdoor Carpet Installation
Posted on February 26, 2009, by admin, under Home Improvement.
Nowadays outdoor carpets come in all shapes and sizes, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that there are also tons of different and difficult ways to install the flooring. The basic technique is easy to learn, and if you follow this guide you will soon be installing outdoor carpeting like a pro!
As for all do it yourself work, you need to start out with the right tools. For outdoor carpet installation, these are pretty simple, and utility knife and some measuring tape being the main ones. But you also need the right adhesives to glue down the carpet permanently, plus double-sided scotch tape to fix the carpeting onto the ground.
Don’t forget that you need the right type of outdoor carpet for the job. Don’t save on waterproofing if the area you are installing the carpeting in is not covered, and get UV-resistant materials if sunlight and color fading could be an issue. The glue should be specific and high-quality or all your effort will be naught in a short time.
Before you begin, divide up the area where the carpet is to be installed into rectangular areas, and clean up the first one thoroughly, removing any dust and grime. You should also unroll and lay out the outdoor carpet somewhere else for a couple of hours, so that it can breathe and expand before the installation. Put down a grid of double-sided adhesive tape on the area to be carpeted.
If the outdoor carpet does not already come cut to size, you now need to trim it. Make sure that you leave some extra carpet on the edges at this stage, as you will do some more trimming later.
Ply one half of the carpet onto the other, then remove the adhesive tape covering strips from the other half, and add an even layer of glue. Make sure that you work according to the specifications of the glue manufacturer.
Time to fix the outdoor carpet to the floor. Take extra care to lay down the carpet smoothly, so that you do not create any wrinkles and furrows on the material. Make sure that the fitting with regards to walls and other fixes obstacles is correct.
Next, repeat with the other half of the carpet. Prepare the adhesive tape, add glue. Once the whole piece of outdoor carpet is in place, walk on it and smoothen out any last creases.
Now finish the trimming of the outdoor carpet edges, always cutting straight lines and at right angles to the main carpet surface. Once the sizing is correct, remove any excess glue with solvent and clean the edges.
Repeat the process on the next area to be carpeted, until all the outdoor carpet has been installed. Where two pieces of carpet meet, the area can either be sown together or covered with a special metal casing. You will soon have a perfectly installed outdoor carpet!
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